Aubrey Huff Rumors

The Reds are impressed with outfielder and 2013 first-round pick Phillip Ervin, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "We were really impressed," says Reds director of player development Jeff Graupe. "Obviously, all the physical ability he has is the first thing you see. But over time, seeing the consistent quality of his at-bats was the most impressive thing for me." Ervin, 21, hit .331/.425/.564 in 2013 season split between rookie ball and Class A. Here are more notes from around the big leagues.

When the Angels signed pitcher Chris Volstad to a minor-league deal in November, they knew it was possible he might decide to play overseas instead, MLBTR's Zach Links tweets. Volstad recently signed on with the Doosan Bears in Korea.

Aubrey Huff has officially retired and accepted a job as a broadcaster with the Pac-12 Network, MLB Daily Dish's Chris Cotillo reports. Huff finishes his 13-year career with a .278/.342/.464 line in 6,786 plate appearances with the Rays, Astros, Orioles, Tigers and Giants.

Free-agent infielder Jamey Carroll could soon make a decision on a new team, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal tweets. Carroll, who will be 40 next month, hit .211/.267/.251 in 249 plate appearances with the Twins and Royals last season. He would likely receive a minor-league deal.

Brad Penny could make an "interesting no-risk signing," Troy Renck of the Denver Post tweets. Renck mentions that he has heard Penny has pitched well in offseason workouts. Penny, 35, last appeared in the big leagues in 2012 with the Giants, and he's now in the midst of a comeback attempt.

Earlier today we checked in on the Yankees’ search for position players and found that GM Brian Cashman views Ben Francisco as a bench player. As for the possibility of signing a free agent corner infielder, the Yankees continue weighing their options, including some familiar names. Here’s the latest from the AL East…

The Red Sox aren’t worried that David Ortiz’s heel injury will evolve into a long-term concern, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports (on Twitter). The Red Sox signed Ortiz to a two-year, $26MM contract in November, so he'll be in Boston through 2014.

“I have no regrets,” Huff said. “I love it. I’m having a great time with my wife and kids. I don’t even have an itch to pick up a baseball bat. I wondered if I’d feel that desire when everybody reported to spring training, but I didn’t.”

Huff, 36, became a free agent when the Giants declined their $10MM option on his services for the 2013 season. Huff signed a two-year, $22MM deal with San Francisco following the 2010 season and struggled with both injuries and an anxiety disorder over the life of that contract, hitting just .239/.309/.359 in 674 PA in 2011-12. That said, Huff's overall tenure with the team was still a success given that his big 2010 campaign (an .891 OPS in 668 PA) came for a one-year price of $3MM and helped the Giants win a World Series title.

Ed Hayes, Huff's agent, said in January that his client intended to play in 2013 and had spoken to a few interested teams. The Diamondbacks were the only club known to be linked to Huff this winter. His name had been mentioned as a possible target for the Yankees given that injuries to Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira had left New York short-handed at first base and left field, Huff's positions.

If this is indeed it for Huff, he retires with 242 homers and a .278/.342/.464 line over 6786 career PA. The University of Miami product played for the Rays, Astros, Orioles, Tigers and Giants over his 13 years in the Major Leagues, winning a Silver Slugger Award with Baltimore in 2008 and winning two World Series rings with San Francisco.

Following a season marred by knee problems and panic attacks, Aubrey Huff intends to play in 2013 according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Ed Hayes client has received treatment for the panic attacks and there are no lingering issues.

"He wants to play,'' said Hayes. "He's working out. It's not a matter of physical issues. Nor is it a matter of mental issues, which he's addressed … Medication is an amazing thing."

Huff, 36, hit .192/.326/.282 in only 95 plate appearances last season and .239/.309/.359 in 674 plate appearances over the last two seasons combined. Heyman likened Huff's current situation to the 2009-2010 offseason, when he was coming off a .241/.310/.384 showing with the Orioles and Tigers. The Giants signed him to a cheap one-year deal and watched him hit .290/.385/.506 with 26 homers en route to the World Series.

Hayes told Heyman that he has spoken to a few teams about his client, but he might have to wait to see how the Lance Berkmansituation plays out. Huff is a Fort Worth native and could appeal to the Rangers if they're unable to sign Berkman. The Orioles, Rays, Indians, Red Sox, and Yankees could all add a first baseman/DH before Spring Training.

7:49pm: The Diamondbacks have also "made contact" with Aubrey Huff, reports Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com (on Twitter). The 35-year-old Huff hit .192/.326/.282 in 95 plate appearances for the Giants while missing lots of time with knee with knee problems.

7:27pm: The Diamondbacks have expressed interest in Brandon McCarthy, reports Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic (on Twitter). Piecoro notes the D'Backs pursued the right-hander two years ago.

The Giants have declined their $10MM club option on Aubrey Huff for 2013, buying the veteran outfielder out for $2MM, reports Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com. The move was seen as a foregone conclusion given Huff's lack of performance over the last two seasons.

Huff signed a one-year, $3MM with San Francisco before the 2010 season and exploded for a .290/.385/.506 campaign (plus a .957 OPS in 20 World Series plate appearances), helping lead the Giants to a championship. Huff signed a two-year, $22MM contract with a $10MM option for 2013 in the aftermath of his big season but hasn't produced nearly as well since, hitting just .239/.309/.359 in 674 plate appearances and struggling with both an anxiety disorder and a knee injury. It's possible that Huff could consider retirement given his injuries, his age (he turns 36 in December) and the chance to go out on the high note of another World Series title.

The Giants will decline their $10MM club option on Aubrey Huff, tweets Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area. The news isn't much of a surprise given Huff's injuries and struggles at the plate since 2010. Huff's contract contains a $2MM buyout.

Gonzalez's colleague, Chris Haft, writes that the Giants and Scutaro will "likely forge a deal" this offseason, as the 37-year-old is too valuable both on and off the field to let go.

Haft also writes that Angel Pagan is expected to receive a multi-year contract with an average annual value perhaps in the $10MM range in a thin free agent market. Sabean will need to determine if Pagan is worth that to his team.

Haft goes on to say that Jeremy Affeldt could be in line for a multi-year deal on the free agent market. That, along with the presence of Jose Mijares could mean that Affeldt will find himself wearing a new uniform come 2013.

The 2011 amateur draft has officially produced its first Major Leaguer, as Trevor Bauer made his debut for the Diamondbacks tonight against the Braves. The third overall pick from 2011 was shaky in his first start in the Show (two runs on five hits and three walks over four innings and 74 pitches) but Bauer escaped with a no-decision.

Here are some more items from the D'Backs and elsewhere in the NL West…

The Dodgers' seven-year, $42MM deal with Cuban prospect Yasel Puig has stunned many international scouting directors, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America. Puig's signing has caused a "huge disparity of opinion around the game," tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, who cites one scout that rated Puig as worth just a $500K contract.

Dodgers president Stan Kasten tells Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times that the team is prepared to make "big" moves at the trade deadline and are willing to increase payroll. Kasten said he would prefer to take on more salary if it meant the Dodgers wouldn't have to trade a promising minor leaguer.

Aubrey Huff told reporters (including Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle) that he hasn't thought about retiring despite his difficult 2012 season. The Giants veteran hasn't produced at the plate, battled an anxiety disorder and is currently on the DL after spraining his knee while celebrating Matt Cain's perfect game.

Billionaire Steve Cohen dropped out of the bidding to buy the Padres once the price reached $800MM, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (via Twitter). Cohen is a Mets minority owner and was one of the top contenders to buy the Dodgers.

Sabean won’t rule out a long-term deal for Tim Lincecum, but negotiations with Matt Cain will be a higher priority, since Cain is eligible for free agency one year from now. Lincecum appears to prefer short-term deals anyway.

Barry Zitoand non-tender candidateJonathan Sanchez will be in Spring Training competing for the rotation, according to Sabean. This is the strongest indication yet that Sanchez will be tendered a contract this offseason. His salary will likely surpass $6MM in 2012.

Sabean and Bochy said Aubrey Huff didn’t do enough to get in shape last offseason and they have told him to do more this winter.

The Giants have said they want to upgrade in center field and the leadoff spot. They don’t consider Justin Christian to be the solution, so Schulman wonders if Coco Crisp could be a fit.

If the Giants don’t pick up Jeremy Affeldt’s $5MM option, they’ll renegotiate another deal with him. As I explained earlier in the month, Affeldt would be in position to command a multiyear deal in free agency if the Giants allow him to hit the open market.

The Giants will look to add second base depth, though they may not be willing to meet Jeff Keppinger’s asking price.

Sabean says the Giants will give Cody Ross "due consideration" as a free agent, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News (on Twitter).

The Yankees’ “lack of tact” in their negotiations with Derek Jeter isn’t helping them, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Here are Rosenthal's latest updates on the Yankees and other teams around the league:

Even Cliff Lee’s representatives would be surprised if the left-hander received a seven-year offer like C.C. Sabathia did.

The Dodgers showed serious interest in Aubrey Huff before he re-signed with the Giants, according to Rosenthal.

The Phillies discussed the idea of bringing Pat Burrell back to Philadelphia, but decided against it.

Type B free agent Orlando Hudson almost certainly agreed in advance to reject the Twins’ offer of arbitration, Rosenthal says. The Twins agreed not to offer the second baseman arbitration if he was a Type A free agent, so Hudson may have agreed not to accept if he ended up a Type B.

The Marlins have between $3-8MM to spend, depending on which one of Rosenthal’s sources you ask.